Falcon News

Two more fledglings visited raptor rescues after concerned neighbors alerted authorities to falcons on the ground. Iceman 55 found on Saturday 6-28-14 and Goose 55 found at One New York Plaza on Monday 6-30-14, were returned unhurt and healthy to 55 Water St. Chris Nadareski (NYC DEP) re-banded Goose 55 after examination (size and toe length) and deciding it is possible he (Goose 55 male 18/BA) might be she (Goose 55 female 17/BC). Barbara Saunders (NYS DEC) has been kept […]

Stolen? Rescued? Adopted? 55 Water St. security cameras recorded a man on the Elevated Acre escalator carrying a covered falcony-shaped package early Friday afternoon. Less than an hour later Viper 55 was turned into a wildlife rescue in Manhattan, examined, and ready to return to 55 Water St. Barbara Saunders of the NYS DEC released him at a setback near but not at the nest. The risk is high of frightening any remaining fledglings by opening the nest box access […]

Maverick 55, Iceman 55, and Viper 55 are usually out flying around the neighborhood. They have been spotted flying north on South St. looking for hospitable (with a ledge) buildings to land on. Goose 55 scrambles up onto the nest ledge but hasn’t taken off yet. He retains some white fuzz and has grown larger than his brothers. Adele delivers meals less often (observed once a day), occasionally to all 4 chicks. The headless pigeon carcass that appeared in the […]

In the 3 weeks since the chicks hatched there are noticeable changes every day. They are all longer, taller and heavier, same great appetite. The white fuzz that covered their bodies is being replaced by dark wing and tail feathers, black face masks, and dark spot patterns. The older chicks now walk upright rather than on their “elbows” as Goose 55 still does. All the chicks do plenty of wing stretching and flapping but no lift off. They will wander […]

It was a busy morning for Chris Nadareski of the NYC DEP, Barbara Saunders of the NYS DEC and the 55 Water St. falcon chicks. They were retrieved, banded, inspected, and returned to the nest. All are healthy though Goose 55 as the runt is smaller and bears watching. Adult Female- Adele- black Y over green 9 both sideways – 987-95662 Adult Male – Rocky- black 81 over green X (assumed) Fledglings- Male- Maverick 55, black 05 over green BC […]

On Thursday June 5th at 8 am the 55 Water St. 2014 falcon chicks will be banded by Chris Nadereski of the NYC DEP. The chicks are maturing rapidly, growing larger, wandering around the nest, trying to pick at food, and laying separately rather than in a pile.

As of Friday 5-23-14 all four eggs hatched. The chicks eat, sleep, try spreading their wings, and test their balance (not too good) standing. This morning the feathers of some unfortunate prey littered the nest. Adele is away frequently for short periods (1/2 hour of less) then returns to feed the hungry chicks.

A broken shell visible in the nest and seeing only one egg suggests there are 3 chicks underneath Adele but she’s not moving much this morning to be sure. When she was feeding the chicks yesterday, one was aggressively making his mouth prominent to receive the majority of the food.

Between 5 PM on Friday 5-16-14 and Sunday 5-18-14, two eggs have hatched at 55 Water St. Adele has been alternating between feeding the chicks and incubating the soon to hatch eggs. When she moves off of them, those babies are in constant motion moving their necks and heads back and forth and reaching out.

Adele- when she’s nesting somewhat parallel to the camera, facing (east) South Street, her tail feathers brush the wall. The top of her head is solid black and shiny and she has high contrast between her light and dark areas. She is more active on the eggs, cuddling down on them aggressively as she re-adjusts, looking around, and pecking at the ground. Male (hopefully we can ID him when the eggs hatch)- there are two light patches on the top […]